Willis earns second career Player of Week award

Linebacker Patrick Willis received only his second career NFC Player of the Week award Wednesday, a byproduct of the 49ers’ 34-0 shutout of the host New York Jets on Sunday.

Willis’ honor was first reported on Twitter by the 49ers.

Yes, this is only the second such award for Willis, a Pro Bowler in all five of his previous seasons. One explanation for why he can get overlooked on a weekly basis: his supporting cast.

Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey indeed expressed those sentiments Wednesday while on a conference call to preview his team’s visit Sunday to the 49ers.

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“The thing about it is, he’s an amazing player and he doesn’t stand out tremendously in that group because they’ve got a bunch of outstanding football players in that group,” Gailey said.

“But when you start to just watch him individually play after play, he really is an amazing player.”

Willis produced his first interception of the season when he snared a second-half pass that was tipped by defensive tackle Ray McDonald.

Willis is also the face of a defense that ranks third in yards allowed per game (277.3) and fifth against both the run (79.5 ypg) and pass (197.8). Willis’ only other player-of-the-week honor came last season when he produced 18 tackles and recovered a fumble in an Oct. 9 rout of Tampa Bay.

Willis’ 41 tackles this season rank second behind NaVorro Bowman’s 54. Willis’ 727 tackles since 2007 rank second to only the Redskins’ London Fletcher for the league-high lead.

After watching the Bills surrender 45 second-half points in a 52-28 loss to the New England Patriots, Gailey obviously prefers the defensive effort that the 49ers produced in what he called “as dominating a performance as you’ll see” against the Jets.

“It’s going to be an all-day proposition,” Gailey said of facing the 49ers defense. “You have to earn every inch against that team.

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Can anyone tell me what’s up with AJ Jenkins And LaMicheal James.?
Are they even on the team?

zeepro

Jenkins and James are buried deep in the depth chart, which is a very good thing because it shows just how deep this team is. They’ll have their chances and I’m happy to defer to the brilliant coaching staff for all such decisions as they clearly know what they’re doing

B.A. Rich

JasonXFlash,

In-actives for each game thus far. Yes, on the team. They are not needed at this point, which speaks to the 49ers depth at those positions.

JasonXFlash

THX, BA…

GO Niners…

oldtimer

The whole draft class was inactive vs NYJ. Garrett Celek (UDFA) was the only rookie who played, & odds are Brandon Jacobs will now take the latter’s spot vs. BUF.

White wine sipper

Hey jasonxflash, that’s what it means when a team is “loaded”. This is how dynasties are built, dreams are realized, and lifelong memories are made. We are no flash in the pan. What a LUXURY it is to develop a rookie and turn a 2nd or 3rd round pick into 1st round talent by the time he plays. Also, you’re not paying that guy 1st round money, which allows to aquire top tier free agents. I predict great things as long as Harwalsh is here. Long live King Harwalsh!!!! Camelot is HERE!!!